Friday, May 14, 2010

Breathing New Life - Look How I Converted My Prom Jewelry


Obviously I don't need to tell you that is my before shot! The hair, the make up, it all screams style nightmare.... The earrings were gold discs with black tassels hanging off them. What a hoot!
Well I've recently started a craze of converting the junk jewelry I have lying around and these earrings were one of the first in line. Behold, the 'new' earrings....


So my first job was to remove the tassels, they are not going to be used in jewelry but could suit book marks.
I used wire cutters to remove the surgical steel post from the discs, I then had to use a metal file to smooth down the sharp stump on the back of each disc. This was the most time consuming and painful part - hand cramp!
From my treasure box I found the two ivy leaf charms, and from my bead spice rack (spice rack where all the jars and bottles are full of beads!) I selected the four green cloisonne beads.
Then I simply had to assemble the new jewelry, I used eye pins to connect the leaf to the cloisonne bead and made a loop to hang it from the disc. For the top I used an eye pin to connect the disc to the cloisonne bead, finished off with a loop, and put a small jump ring and french ear wire to complete.

But my favourite converted jewelry is a pair of my dad's vintage cufflinks that I cut and filed the cufflink attachment off to make cabochons which I set into a bracelet settings, I get one, and the other is available in my etsy store www.starzyia.etsy.com



4 comments:

Edie Marie's Attic said...

What an adorable photo! You are like a beautiful work of art!! But I love what you did to makeover the earrings... you're right, the tassels were a bit much. LOL I love what you do with jewelry and tiny objects to give them new life!!

Hugs, Sherry

Starry said...

awwwh thanks Sherry.... I love your blog, just added it to stumble upon for ya!

Cheryl said...

Starry, think you are magnificent in your prom pic. A sign of the times.
Moving right along..love your conversion and know there will be many enthusiastic buyers should you decide they are for sale.
Always in my thoughts dear friend xo

Starry said...

Hi Chez,

I was just thinking about you and wondering how you are. I have been so busy in my own little world. Its nice to know you can use the computer at all, I worry about your pain and whether you are able to do much... I know you are not one to enjoy being idle.

I have opened a new store on a site similar to etsy, but for Australian handmade only, and the checkout is for Aussie dollars!

Take care beautiful friend, xoxoxo Starry